Functional trainer

ABSTRACT

A multiple exercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism which is mounted on a pivot mechanism, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the pivot mechanism enabling pivoting of the arm mechanism such that the distal end of the arm mechanism is adjustably movable between positions of variable distance away from the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC Section 119 to thefollowing: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/187,368entitled Functional Trainer, filed Mar. 6, 2000, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Multi functional physical exercise apparati have been designed inthe past to incorporate a variety of different subassemblies into asingle machine which enable the user to perform a variety of differentexercises different for each subassembly. Such conventional multifunctional exercise machines provide a limited number of availableexercise routines which themselves are limited in the ranges and typesof motions that the user may perform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to exercise apparati generally andmore particularly to an exercise apparatus which enables multipleexercise routines in various positions to exercise various muscles ormuscle groups at a single station. The apparatus comprises a centralsupport which anchors at least one and typically at least two armmembers which are fixedly attached to the support in a spaced apartrelationship such that a user/subject may, at a single location orstation, engage a grip or handle provided at the end of each arm, thegrip or handle being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanismsuch as a weight stack or a free weight.

[0004] The arm(s) are connected to the support in such a manner as toenable the arm(s) to be both rotated and pivoted/tilted. Typically, thearm(s) are rotatable between zero and 180 degree positions in increments(such as increments of twenty degrees) and, typically, the arm(s) arepivotable between zero and forty-five degrees in increments (such asincrements of fifteen degrees), wherein the incremental rotation andpivot positions are selectable and reversibly lockable into suchincrementally located rotated and pivoted positions by the user.

[0005] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising a generallyupright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanismwhich is mounted on a pivot mechanism, the arm mechanism extending froma proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the pivotmechanism enabling pivoting of the arm mechanism such that the distalend of the arm mechanism is adjustably movable between positions ofvariable distance away from the frame, wherein a cable mechanism ismounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a firstend interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distalend of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism beinginterconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user maygrasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted bythe weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

[0006] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationaryframe on which is mounted first and second elongated arm mechanisms forpivoting about first and second pivot axes, the arm mechanisms eachextending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame,wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, thecable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated armmechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the second elongated armmechanism, the cable mechanism having a second end interconnected to aweight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull at leastone of the handle mechanisms against an opposing force exerted by theweight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

[0007] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationaryframe having a pair of opposing sides and a front face, wherein at leastone elongated arm mechanism is mounted on the frame mechanism forrotation about an axis extending forwardly from the front face, the armmechanism extending forwardly from a proximal end to a distal endrelative to the front face, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted aroundone or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first terminal endinterconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal endof the first elongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal endinterconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal endof the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnectedto a weight resistance mechanism such that user may grasp and pull thehandle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weightresistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

[0008] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationaryframe on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism for rotation abouta generally horizontal axis, the arm mechanism extending from a proximalend to a distal end relative to the frame, the elongated arm mechanismbeing mounted to a rotatable member which rotates around the generallyhorizontal axis, the rotatable member being interconnected to a rotationdamping mechanism, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one ormore pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to ahandle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated armmechanism, the first end of the cable mechanism being interconnected toa weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull thehandle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weightresistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

[0009] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationaryframe on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism for rotation abouta generally horizontal axis, the arm mechanism extending from a proximalend to a distal end relative to the frame, the elongated arm mechanismbeing mounted to a rotatable member which rotates around the generallyhorizontal axis, the rotatable member being interconnected to a tensionmember which opposes rotation of the rotatable member.

[0010] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationarysupport mounted on a mounting surface, at least one arm mechanism, oneend of the arm being fixedly interconnected to the support at a selectedheight above the mounting surface, the one end of the arm being coupledto the support such that the arm is both rotatable and pivotablerelative to the support, wherein the arm has another distal end which isstationarily positionable in a plurality of selected exercise positionsvia one or both of rotation and pivoting of the arm.

[0011] In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multipleexercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationaryframe having at least one elongated arm mechanism mounted on the framemechanism for rotation about an axis extending outwardly from the frame,the arm mechanism extending outwardly from a proximal end to a distalend relative to the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted aroundone or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first terminal endinterconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal endof the first elongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal endinterconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal endof the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnectedto a weight resistance mechanism such that user may grasp and pull thehandle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weightresistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

[0012] In accordance with the invention there is provided, in a multipleexercise positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright supporthaving an elongated arm mechanism pivotably and rotatably mounted to theupright support wherein the elongated arm mechanism has a cableinterconnected between a handle disposed at a distal end of the arm anda weight resistance mechanism which is actuated by pulling on thehandle, a method of performing any one of a selected number ofdifferently positioned or oriented exercises with the apparatuscomprising positioning the elongated arm in a selected position ofrotation around an axis of rotation of the arm, positioning theelongated arm in a selected position of pivot about an axis of pivot ofthe arm, manually pulling on the handle so as to exert an opposing forceto the weight resistance mechanism through the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying pictures/drawings depict and disclose examplesof the invention and examples of various positions and uses of theinvention wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective front left view of an apparatus accordingto the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is front cut-away view of the FIG. 1 apparatus showing thepair of pivotable/rotatable handle positioning arms in selected rotatedand pivoted positions and showing the cabling interconnectionarrangement with several incremental weight plates in a weight stackbeing lifted by the pulled out cable from the end of one of the arms;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the FIG. 1 apparatus alonglines 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the right side pivotable/rotatable arm inan upwardly pivoted position and the weight lifting handle pulled out acertain length resulting in lifting of a certain number of incrementalweight plates from the weight stack;

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a detail of the relative positioning or the cable andpulley mounted at the pivot position of the right arm of the apparatusin the position of FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a top view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the apparatus shown in the positionof FIG. 1 showing the details of the rotatable mounting of thepivotable/rotatable arms and the cabling and pulley arrangementinterconnections between the handles and the weight stack;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the cabling independent of the frameand arms structures where the handles of both arms are pulled out fromthe distal ends of the arms;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the cabling independent of the frameand arm structures where the handle of one arm is pulled out and thehandle of the of the other arm is not pulled out from the distal end ofthe arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a functional trainer or multi-exercise functionapparatus 10 according to the invention comprising a pair of right 20and left 30 arms which are both pivotable respectively around axes 42,40 and both rotatable respectively around axes 50 and 60. As shown axes40 and 42 are collinear/coaxial but do not necessarily need to becollinear or coaxial. The apparatus has a front face 70 in front ofwhich the user normally stands or is otherwise positioned when using theapparatus 10 so as to have manual access to the handles 80, 90 held atthe distal ends 100, 110 of each arm 20, 30 respectively. As shown inFIG. 1, the arms 20, 30 extend forwardly from the front face 70 from apivot end 120, 130 which is/are proximal to the front face 70 to thedistal ends 100, 110 which are forwardly extending relative to the face70; and the arms 20, 30 are rotatable in semi-circular arcs 140, 150around axes 50, 60 which project forwardly of the frontal face 70. Ascan be readily imagined when the arms are pivoted in a position out ofvertical as shown in FIG. 1 for example, the arms 20, 30 will travelthrough a half conical path when rotated fully through the semicirculararcs 140, 150. The upright frame elements, 160, 170, FIG. 6, on whichthe arms 20, 30 are rotatably mounted and the cover 180 and othercomponents are generally mounted are themselves mounted or rigidlyattached to leg supports 200, 210 which are seated on the ground asshown.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, each arm 20, 30 may be rotated around itsrotation axis 50, 60 into locked rotated positions/increments. As shownin FIG. 2, arm 30 is lockable into rotated positions 149 through 159which are in 20 degree arcuate increments along the entire 180 degreearcuate travel 150 of arm 30. The arms may he locked into anyincremental arcuate positions and such locked positions may be of anyselected incremental size or degree and may be incrementally the same ordifferent from each other. In the embodiment shown, the locked positionsare enabled by bushings 270 which are stationarily attached to frameuprights 160, 170 having incrementally spaced apertures 149 a, 151 a etseq., FIG. 1, which correspond to angular positions 149-159, FIG. 2(apertures corresponding to positions 153-159 not labeled/shown in FIG.1). A pin 181, FIGS. 1, 3, 4, which is spring 282 loaded and mounted onrotatable axle flange 300, FIGS. 1, 4, is manually insertable into anyof the apertures (e.g. 149 a, 151 a) in the flanged portion 270 ofcylindrical bushing 272, the apertures in flange 270 corresponding topositions 149-159, by manually pulling backwardly on the head of the pin181, releasing the pin and allowing the pin to be spring 282 forceinserted into a selected aperture thus locking the rotation position ofthe rotatable axle 301 around axis 50 into a selected angular position.As shown in FIG. 4, the forwardly extending arm 20 with end portion 24is pivotably attached at pivot axis 42 to bracket 23 which is in turnfixedly attached to or integrally formed together with the flangeportion 300 of the rotatable axle 301. Axle 301 is rotatably mountedwithin fixedly attached bushing 272 by any conventional mechanism, e.g.by a rotation enabling bearing 25 interposed between the outer surfaceof axle 301 and the inner surface of fixedly mounted bushing 272, FIG.4. The cylindrically shaped axle 301 is thus attached to arm 20 viabracket 23 as shown ill FIG. 5 and arm 20 is thus rotatable around axis50 by rotation of axle 301 within bushing 272.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, arm 20 is pivotable and lockable intoincremental arcs around pivot axis 42, e.g. into incremental angularpositions 330, 331, 332, FIG. 3, which correspond to the locking of pin310, FIG. 5, into incremental angular apertures 320, 321, 322 As can bereadily imagined, the number, size and degree of the incremental arcuatepositions and apertures provided for pivoting movement of arms 20, 30can be varied and selected to be of any desired value. A user can changethe pivot position of an arm 240, 250 by pulling outwardly on theexposed head of pill 310 to disengage the inner end of the pin 310 froman aperture, 320, 321, 322, manually pivoting an arm around an axis 40or 42 to a position where the pin is in axial alignment with a desiredaperture 320, 321, 322 and releasing the head of the pin 310 allowingthe spring 311, FIG. 5, to snap the tip end of the pin into engagementwithin the desired pivot position aperture. Preferably the weight of thearms 20, 30 is selected to allow the user to readily pivot the arms 20,30 to any desired pivot position around axes 40, 42 and to furtherfacilitate such manual pivoting, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder,shock absorber or the like 350, FIG. 3 is provided between mountingbracket 23 and arm 20, 30 so as to counterbalance or at least lessen anytorque force exerted by the weight of an arm 20, 30 around the pivotaxes 40, 42.

[0025] As shown by FIGS. 1-6, arms 20, 30 can be rotated and pivotedabout axes 50, 60 and 40, 42 such that the distal ends 100, 110 of thearms and their associated handles 80, 90 can be positioned closer to orfurther away from the face 70 of the apparatus 10 in a wide variety ofupward, sideward and downward positions thus enabling the user to selfcreate or choose an exercise for any desired muscle or muscle group,e.g. a pull down exercise where the handles are positioned as shown inFIG. 1, or a pull up exercise when the arms are rotated to a downwardposition, or a rowing or pull in exercise when the arms are pivoted to amore horizontally disposed position. As can be readily imagined, thearms 20, 30 can be positioned to virtually limitless positions forcreating an exercise of the user's choice/selection. The handles 80, 90can be engaged by the user's foot/feet, head, elbow, etc. whenpositioned appropriately relative to the position of the user's body onthe ground or other implement such as a bench on which the user may sitor lie to perform a chest press or sit up or leg or calf press or otherexercise as the user may select.

[0026] Incidental rotation of the arms 20, 30 when residing in any givenposition of rotation is controlled by a safety tension mechanism. Asshown in the embodiments in FIGS. 1-6, the rotation axle 301 is providedwith a flange plate 261, FIGS. 2, 4, to which is rotatably attached alink 260 which is attached to a cable 251 which is routed around apulley 252, FIG. 2, which is attached to a stretchable spring 250 whichis connected to the frame member 165. When an arm is in a zero rotationtorque position, position 149, such as when the arms are in thepositions shown in FIG. 1, the flange plate 261 is not rotated aroundaxis 60 and spring or tension member 240 is in a minimum stretch ortension state. In the minimum stretch state, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2with respect to spring 240, the spring is nevertheless stretched to acertain degree and under tension in the minimum zero torque position ofplate 261 so that the arm 20 is held in a steady state position underthe tension of tension member 240 or 250 as the case may be. When an armis rotated out of the zero torque position, e.g. in position of arm 30shown in FIG. 2, the tension member 250 is further stretched and thetension increased somewhat relative to the minimum stretch position toaccount for the added rotational torque force exerted by the weight ofan arm 20, 30 through axle 301 to plate 261. Preferably the addedtension which the tension member 240, 250 undergoes throughout theentirety of the complete arc of rotation of plate 261 is small relativeto the maximum tension which the tension member is capable ofwithstanding or exerting. Preferably the tension which the tensionmember 240, 250 exerts through to the plate 261 against rotation of anarm 20, 30 in any given position of rotation of plate 261 along arc 150is less than about ten percent of the maximum tension or upper tensionlimit value of the tension member. In any event, when an arm is rotatedto any position along arc 150 and in any pivot position along arc 333,the tension exerted by the tension member 240, 250 is sufficient to holdthe arm in whatever rotated and pivoted position in which it may beresiding at the moment, i.e. the weight of the arm 20, 30 and therotation torque force which the arm may exert on axle 301 in any givenrotation and pivot position, is counterbalanced by the opposing tensionin tension member 240, 250 such that arm is held in such position andwill not drift downwardly or upwardly in the absence of the user'sapplying a manual or other torque rotation force to an arm. Preferably auser may easily and smoothly rotate an arm to any desired position ofrotation against the rotation controlling tension force exerted by thetension member.

[0027]FIG. 6 shows a cabling arrangement for interconnecting the handles80, 90 to the weight resistance mechanism 380. As shown, a singleflexible cable 390 is connected between the handles 80, 90, the cable390 being routed through the arms 20, 30 and through/past the pivotpositions where the pivot axes 40, 42 are located. The single cable 390is further routed around a series of pulleys 391-399 which are allmounted such that when either handle 80, 90 is pulled outwardly from thedistal ends of the arms, the cable 390 necessarily pulls downwardly onpulley 395 which is connected to a second cable 410 which is routedaround pulleys 411, 412 and interconnected at its distal end 415 to theframe member 178. As pulley 395 is pulled downwardly, pulley 412 ispulled upwardly. Pulley 412 is connected to the weight resistancemechanism 380 and, when pulley 412 is pulled upwardly, the weightresistance mechanism 380 is pulled upwardly along with pulley 412 viathe weight bearing rod 287, FIG. 2, thus creating the opposing force tothe user's pulling on one or both of the handles. As can be readilyimagined and shown in FIG. 7, both handles can be pulled outwardly atthe same time, both such pulling motions, 425, 426 resulting in asimultaneous downward pulling 418, 419 on pulley 395 and concomitantlifting 417 of pulley 412. Similarly, pulling 435, FIG. 8, on a singlehandle results in downward pulling force 421 on pulley 395. As shown,all of the routing pulleys for the single cable 390 which extend betweenthe handles, i.e. s pulleys 391, 392, 393, 394 and 396, 397, 398, 399and the routing pulley 411 are connected or anchored to a stationarycomponent of the apparatus. Pulleys 395 and 412 are floating enablingupward pulling of the weight resistance mechanism 380.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 the terminal ends of the cable 390 areprovided with stops 500 attached to cable 390. Follower pulleys 420 arealso mounted on the ends 100, 110 of arms 20, 30 so as to cooperate withpulleys 391 to provide an interference mechanism for stops 500 thuslimiting the backward movement of the terminal ends of cable 390 (towhich the handles 80, 90 are attached) beyond the position of pulleys391, 420 and 399, 420.

[0029] The weight resistance mechanism 380 shown in the embodiment ofthe Figures comprises a stack of incremental weights any selected numberof which a user can interconnect to pulley 412 before beginning anexercise, e.g. by inserting a pin through a lateral aperture which isprovided in each of the incremental weights in tile stack and continuingthrough a complementarily aligned aperture provided in the rod 287, FIG.2, for each incremental weight, the weight bearing rod 287 beinginterconnected to pulley 412. Other weight resistance mechanisms can beprovided such as free weights, a high tension springs, a high tensionstretch or compression member, a force resistance rotating mechanism, acontainer fillable with a selected amount of fluid or the like.

[0030] The horizontal foot supports 210, 200 are rigidly connected tothe upright frame supports 160, 170 at a generally right angle and havea length extending from the point of connection 515, FIG. 6 selected tosafely oppose any rotating torque force around the point of connection515 that might tend to tip the upright supports 160, 170 over.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple exercise performance or positioningapparatus comprising: a generally upright stationary frame on which ismounted an elongated arm mechanism which is mounted on a pivotmechanism, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distalend relative to the frame, the pivot mechanism enabling pivoting of thearm mechanism such that the distal end of the arm mechanism isadjustably movable between positions of variable distance away from theframe; wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys,the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated armmechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weightresistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handlemechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistancemechanism through the cable mechanism.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the elongated arm mechanism is mounted on a rotatable memberwhich is mounted on the frame for rotation about a generally horizontalrotation axis, the pivot axis being interconnected to the rotatablemember.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes asecond arm mechanism mounted on the frame for rotation about a secondgenerally horizontal rotation axis, the second arm mechanism extendingfrom a second proximal end to a second distal end relative to the frame.4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cable mechanism has a second endinterconnected to a second handle mechanism which is mounted at thedistal end of the second arm mechanism, the second handle mechanismbeing interconnected to the weight resistance mechanism via the cablemechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the second handlemechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistancemechanism through the cable mechanism.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the apparatus includes a second elongated arm mechanism mountedon the frame for pivoting in a plane about a second pivot axis, thesecond arm mechanism extending from a second proximal end to a seconddistal end relative to the frame.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 whereinthe cable mechanism has a second end interconnected to a second handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the second elongated armmechanism, the second end of the cable mechanism being interconnected tothe weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull thesecond handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weightresistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein the second arm mechanism is connected to a secondrotatable member which is mounted on the frame for rotation about asecond generally horizontal rotation axis, the second pivot axis beingmounted on the second rotatable member.
 8. A multiple exerciseperformance apparatus comprising: a generally upright stationary frameon which is mounted first and second elongated arm mechanisms forpivoting about first and second pivot axes, thc arm mechanisms eachextending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame;wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, thecable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated armmechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the second elongated armmechanism, the cable mechanism having a second end interconnected to aweight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull at toleast one of the handle mechanisms against an opposing force exerted bythe weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein the first and second arm mechanisms aremounted on the frame for rotation about first and second generallyhorizontal axes.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first andsecond arms are interconnected to first and second rotatable members andthe first and second pivot axes are mounted to the first and secondrotatable members respectively.
 11. A multiple exercise performanceapparatus comprising: a generally upright stationary frame having a pairof opposing sides and a front face, wherein at least one elongated armmechanism is mounted on the frame mechanism for rotation about an axisextending forwardly from the front face, the arm mechanism extendingforwardly from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frontface; wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys,the cable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to ahandle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the firstelongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to ahandle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated armmechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weightresistance mechanism such that user may grasp and pull the handlemechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistancemechanism through the cable mechanism.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein the apparatus includes a second elongated arm mechanism mountedon the frame mechanism for rotation about a second axis extendingforwardly from the front face, the second arm mechanism extendingforwardly from a second proximal end to a second distal end relative tothe front face
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first andsecond arms are pivotably mounted to first and second rotatable membersfor pivoting about first and second pivot axes.
 14. A multiple exerciseperformance apparatus comprising: a generally upright stationary frameon which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism for rotation about agenerally horizontal axis, the arm mechanism extending from a proximalend to a distal end relative to the frame; the elongated arm mechanismbeing mounted to a rotatable member which rotates around the generallyhorizontal axis, the rotatable member being interconnected to a rotationdamping mechanism; wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one ormore pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to ahandle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated armmechanism, the first end of the cable mechanism being interconnected toa weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull thehandle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weightresistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein the apparatus includes a second elongated arm mechanismmounted on the frame mechanism for rotation about a second axis, thesecond elongated arm mechanism extending from a second proximal end to asecond distal end relative to the frame wherein the cable mechanism hasa second end interconnected to a second handle mechanism which ismounted at the second distal end of the second elongated arm such thatuser may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing forceexerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.16. A multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising: a generallyupright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanismfor rotation about a generally horizontal axis, the arm mechanismextending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame; theelongated arm mechanism being mounted to a rotatable member whichrotates around the generally horizontal axis, the rotatable member beinginterconnected to a tension member which opposes rotation of therotatable member.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rotatablemember has a zero torque position, the tension member holding therotatable member in the zero torque position under a selected tension.18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rotatable member has a zerotorque position, the tension member comprising a compressible member ora stretchable member interconnected to the rotatable member such thatthe rotatable member is held in the zero torque position under aselected tension in the tension member.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18wherein the rotatable member has a maximum torque position and thetension member has a selected upper tension limit value, the tensionmember holding the rotatable member in the maximum torque position undera tension which is less than ten percent of the upper tension limitvalue.
 20. A multiple exercise positioning apparatus comprising: agenerally upright stationary support mounted on a mounting surface; atleast one arm mechanism, one end of the arm being fixedly interconnectedto the support at a selected height above the mounting surface, the oneend of the arm being coupled to the support such that the arm is bothrotatable and pivotable relative to the support; wherein the arm hasanother distal end which is stationarily positionable in a plurality ofselected exercise positions via one or both of rotation and pivoting ofthe arm.
 21. A multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising: agenerally upright stationary frame having at least one elongated armmechanism mounted on the frame mechanism for rotation about an axisextending outwardly from the frame, the arm mechanism extendingoutwardly from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame;wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, thecable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated armmechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handlemechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated armmechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weightresistance mechanism such that user may grasp and pull the handlemechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistancemechanism through the cable mechanism.
 22. In a multiple exercisepositioning apparatus comprising a generally upright support having anelongated arm mechanism pivotably and rotatably mounted to the uprightsupport wherein the elongated arm mechanism has a cable interconnectedbetween a handle disposed at a distal end of the arm and a weightresistance mechanism which is actuated by pulling on the handle, amethod of performing any one of a selected number of differentlypositioned or oriented exercises with the apparatus comprising:positioning the elongated arm in a selected position of rotation aroundan axis of rotation of the arm; positioning the elongated arm in aselected position of pivot about an axis of pivot of the arm; manuallypulling on the handle so as to exert an opposing force to the weightresistance mechanism through the cable.